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Macbook Pro i5?

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chris.G
Posts: 301 - Karma: 73
I'm looking at getting new computer to do HD video editing along with some picture editing and other digital media stuff.

I'm a poor ass college student, but I definitely need a better computer (i have a shitty old hp laptop) to the kind of work I'm looking at doing

I know that the 15" quad-core i5 or i7 with AMD graphics would be preferable for exactly what I'm trying to do, but would the 13" i5 still do a solid job??

Thanks!
Nov 21 2011 1:54PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 7,732
threads because i just came here to make this same post! weird
Nov 21 2011 1:56PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
It works, but screen size might bother you more than processor ability. You can upgrade to 8GB of RAM for about $60, but not much you can do about the screen and processor.

If you have a nice external monitor you'll probably like it, otherwise I'd say spend a little more.
Nov 21 2011 1:57PM
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chris.G
Posts: 301 - Karma: 73
thanks man, i figured the screen size would be a little bit of an issue but i'm definitely gonna be getting an external monitor at some point
Nov 21 2011 2:06PM
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chris.G
Posts: 301 - Karma: 73
haha i read your mind, what were you thinking? i would get the 15" but its so much more than the 13, i just need a computer that can handle the hd video and what not
Nov 21 2011 2:09PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 7,732
i'm thinking the 13. I have a flatscreen that i'm hoping I can hook it up to somehow..I'm just not sure if it's going to be fast enough
Nov 21 2011 2:23PM
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deciblast
Posts: 52 - Karma: 10
Buy a 2010 Macbook Pro 15 if you can't afford the current one. I picked up a 2.53 i5 for $950. I've seen the Feb 2011 quadcore sell for $1399 on Ebay. Keep in mind the 2011 is 60% faster than the 2.53 from last year. The 13" is a terrible choice for video editing because it doesn't have a dedicated video card.
Nov 21 2011 6:29PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
yeah the 15' is the way to go for editing, better graphics, faster, all around better for what you want ot do
Nov 22 2011 4:37PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 7,732
i'm pretty sure that the 13" macbook pro has the same video card as the 15", no?
Nov 22 2011 7:08PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 7,732
okay so i see that the 15" has a AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5. Is this necessary, the 13" comes with Intel HD Graphics 3000. can someone that knows more about this fill me in? thanks
Nov 22 2011 7:11PM
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Galin
Posts: 2342 - Karma: 3,940
you're going to go ahead and want the 15" version, ideally with the i7. It'll be worth the extra money, as I recall the i5 is more of a budget processor that's geared towards longer battery life, and not as great processing. And as far as the GPU goes, the 15" is far superior as it has a dedicated card which makes a huge difference. Spend the extra money and go 15", in the long run it'll be way worth the extra investment.
Nov 22 2011 7:20PM
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
I bought my macbook pro refurbished off the apple site. 15 inch quad core i7 for $1600 + tax.
In my opinion, the 13 inch is way too small. The 15 is a really good size. I really like mine.

Here is a 13 inch dual core i7.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC724LL/A

Here is the one I got.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC721LL/A
Nov 22 2011 9:36PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 7,732
okay, so i'm pretty much decided on a 15" now because of the graphics card. but is 2.0ghz enough with a macbook pro? I already have a macbook that's 2ghz with 3gb of ddr2 ram from about four years ago..
Nov 22 2011 10:35PM
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
I have no problems with mine. I can edit HD video in FCP 10 fine.
Nov 22 2011 10:37PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 7,732
what camera do you film with? and you conform them to apple pro res before right? how long are the renders usually

sorry, it's just so much money and i'm trying to figure out if it's worth it or if i should just try and tough it out with my current macbook. +k thanks
Nov 22 2011 10:41PM
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
I don't have a camera. But I have used some of my friends shots and I recently used COC's footage that was filming in 60fps at 720p to edit for a contest. I don't know what apple pro res is. Rendering, not sure exactly what it means. But I can tell you that I have very little to no lag.
Nov 22 2011 10:48PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 7,732
ya those are kind of open ended questions anyways. I just have to research more to find out which one will cut it. thanks though
Nov 22 2011 10:51PM
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
Sorry I couldn't help you out as much as you would of liked.

All I can say is, if you are on a budget, buy the refurbished 15 inch quad core i7. for $1320 that's a banger deal!
Nov 22 2011 10:54PM
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chris.G
Posts: 301 - Karma: 73
dam that is sick! ill definitely look into getting that
Nov 22 2011 11:15PM
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
Yeah, it is a super sick deal! I'm in Canada so mine cost more, but now the one I have dropped down $200.
Nov 22 2011 11:33PM
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deciblast
Posts: 52 - Karma: 10
GHz isn't the only factor nowadays.

Here's the benchmarks:
http://www.primatelabs.ca/geekbench/mac-benchmarks/
Nov 23 2011 2:59AM
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dan09uk
Posts: 215 - Karma: 108
there is a sale on friday on the apple website

Nov 23 2011 5:52PM
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jewFro
Posts: 562 - Karma: 24
If you're going to get an external monitor, either would be fine, in my opinion. I have a 15" MBP with a 2.53 GHz Core 2 Duo, and that runs FCP fine. I did upgrade to 8 GB of RAM, which helps, but not really to make the program run that much faster, but it just allows you to run more stuff at the same time. But that should never be that much of an issue if you have 4+ GB of RAM, just close your other stuff. If you have the funds, I would go with the 15" considering you're not always going to be glued to that monitor.

Hope that helps.
Nov 24 2011 8:53PM
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S.C
Posts: 3068 - Karma: 2,285
I like to think of it this way...that macbook pro 13" is just as powerful (if not moreso) than the biggest production companies were using in the early 2000's... good enough for you? I'd say yes.
Nov 24 2011 10:10PM
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eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,020
same price as student discount...
Nov 24 2011 10:38PM
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chris.G
Posts: 301 - Karma: 73
any chance that discount is in addition to the student discount?? Haha I'm guessing no But thanks for all the advice everyone! It really helps me out
Nov 25 2011 10:25AM
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bigbromskier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 330
I needed to use photoshop, autocad, sketchup and some other programs and upgraded from my old macbook to a 13" macbook pro and in hindsight I would've gotten the 15" just for the graphics card. I've found it gets super laggy and the fans start going crazy when I'm using graphics intensive programs and even when watching a movie sometimes. Love the computer, but I'm overall unimpressed with its graphics performance.

I'd definitely recommend the 15" for the screen size too. It's a real pain working with sketchup and watching movies on the 13" so I'm trying to get a tv/monitor for Christmas.
Nov 26 2011 4:52PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 7,732
okay, I'm looking to buy a macbook pro to edit footage on.

anyone wanna give some suggestions on how to get the best bang for my buck?

Right now, I'm thinking of going with this, http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC721LL/A#overview

but it's got 256mb in the video card and the newer 15" has 512mb. Not sure how much of a difference this would make. anyone?
Nov 27 2011 3:15PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 7,732
bump, anyone have some suggestions
Nov 27 2011 4:52PM
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
I have that one. Do it.
Nov 27 2011 5:34PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 7,732
okay, what do people think about this deal.

http://worcester.craigslist.org/sys/2720006915.html
Nov 27 2011 5:36PM
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eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,020
some pretty poor grammer in that ad hahaha
Nov 27 2011 5:45PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 7,732
haha yeah I noticed it too, but I called the guy and he doesn't speak the greatest english but he sounds legit. Also, I'd be picking it up in person and told him I would want to open the package and make sure everything is like he said in the listing before paying for it. I'm still not sure what to do, but i need a new laptop really bad so I'm trying to pick something up in the next day or so.
Nov 27 2011 6:12PM
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deciblast
Posts: 52 - Karma: 10
Yeah. Integrated graphics has been getting better but for now a dedicated graphics card is the way to go. However, in the latest MBP from October 2011, the Intel HD3000 does really well because of some improvement between the CPU/Graphics chip interconnects.
Nov 29 2011 2:14AM
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